Girl Scout in canoe, picking trash out of the Potomac River during Earth Week 1970 April 22

Today in History: Earth Day

Today in History–April 22–the Library of Congress features Earth Day, first celebrated on this day in 1970. Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who wanted to raise public consciousness about air and water pollution. It is estimated that 20 million people nationwide attended events on the first Earth Day. Learn…